Risk Factors for UTI

There are several risk factors for UTI. These factors make a person more likely to develop a UTI and we will explain some of them below:

1. Young sexually active women have a higher risk because sexual activity aids in pushing bacteria into the urethra. Infections are more common if spermicidal creams and diaphragms are used as contraceptives.


2. Pregnancy predisposes to UTI. The interesting fact is that there may be no symptoms and yet the infection is present. It is a cause of pre term labour.


3. An enlarged prostate gland in a man can cause urinary retention and increase the risk of urinary tract infections due to bacterial colonization.


4. Kidney stones can also cause UTIs because the bacteria grow and multiply on the stones.


5. Uncircumcision also predisposes to UTI.


6. Post menopausal women - Due to loss of estrogen the vagina, urethra & bladder base become thinner, more fragile and more susceptible to bacterial infection.


7. Unprotected sex with someone who has a sexually transmitted disease like Gonorrhoea.


8. Previous episodes of urinary tract infection increase the risk of getting it again.


9. HIV Infection because it lowers the immunity.


10. Anal intercourse because a lot of bacteria that cause UTI live in the anus.


11. Any medication that can lower immunity e.g. cancer chemotherapy, chronic steroid therapy.


12. Chronic illness that impair immunity e.g. diabetes mellitus.


13. Not drinking enough fluids - Drinking more fluids makes you pass more urine and this reduces the number of bacteria in the urinary tract.


14. Any structural problem involving the urinary tract. It may be present at birth or be a result of treatment e.g. Improperly treated UTI with scarring.


15. Prolonged use of urethral catheters (artificial tubes for draining urine).


16. On the average, women tend to have more episodes of urinary tract infections than men because the female urethra is shorter than the male urethra and germs don't have to travel far to get to the bladder.

Some other risk factors for UTI may be relevant for certain people. You should discuss with your doctor to identify other risk factors that may be relevant for you but was not mentioned here.

Created - March, 2007
Last updated - August, 2009